US4156120A - Variable spring force keyboard pad - Google Patents

Variable spring force keyboard pad Download PDF

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Publication number
US4156120A
US4156120A US05/861,934 US86193477A US4156120A US 4156120 A US4156120 A US 4156120A US 86193477 A US86193477 A US 86193477A US 4156120 A US4156120 A US 4156120A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
key
frame member
locations
spring elements
circumference
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US05/861,934
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English (en)
Inventor
Kare Vaerlien
Bjorn S. Ellingsen
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
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Publication of US4156120A publication Critical patent/US4156120A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J5/00—Devices or arrangements for controlling character selection
    • B41J5/08—Character or syllable selected by means of keys or keyboards of the typewriter type
    • B41J5/12—Construction of key buttons
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/02—Controlling members for hand actuation by linear movement, e.g. push buttons
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/50—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member
    • H01H13/52—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a single operating member the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/036—Return force
    • H01H2221/044—Elastic part on actuator or casing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a keyboard pad comprising at least one depressable key which is resiliently supported in a frame member, the key being connected to the frame member by at least one spring element for returning the depressed key to its initial position after release, said members being made in one piece from a castable, resiliently yielding material.
  • Keyboards with resiliently supported keys for press buttons are used in many different fields in different types of apparatus and technical equipment. Such as keyboards for press-button operated telephone sets, calculators, data processing installations, etc.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3 668 356 discloses an actuator device with a press button which is connected to a base or frame member by way of connection elements in the form of two beam members of which each at one end is fixed in the frame member and at its other end through a hinge connection is connected to a respective rigid member which is in turn hingedly connected to a key actuating rod, said members being made in one piece by casting from a resilient material.
  • This known device is of a relatively complicated construction and accordingly requires a correspondingly complicated mould to be manufactured by casting in one piece. Further, by depression of said actuating rod it is a presupposition that the angle between each fixed beam member and the associated rigid member must be less than 90°, which places a limitation on the travel of the actuating rod. Additionally, there is no effective return of the key when it is depressed beyond the pressure point, which is located at said angle.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a keyboard of the type set forth above but which enables a relatively long travel for the key and simultaneously an effective return thereof after depression past a pressure point.
  • the construction is simple and well suited for production by casting in one piece in a relatively simple mould.
  • a keyboard which, according to the invention, is characterized in that the key along at least a part of its circumference is surrounded by at least one elongated spring element which is rigidly connected to the key at first locations situated substantially symmetrically about the center of the key, and which is also rigidly connected to the frame member at second locations displaced along the circumference of the key relatively to the first locations and situated lower than or inwardly therefrom, viewed in the depression direction of the key.
  • FIG. 1 shows the key and the surrounding frame member viewed from above
  • FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II -- II in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows the key and frame member in FIG. 1 viewed from the underside
  • FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV -- IV in FIG. 3.
  • the unit shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a key 1 and a supporting frame member 2 which is manufactured in one piece from a castable material having an elastic or resilient property so that it restores its shape after having been subjected to a bending action or the like within its elastic range.
  • the unit may be moulded from a suitable thermoplastic material, such as "Delrin”.
  • the key 1 is connected to the frame member 2 by means of strip-like spring elements 3 which extend along the circumference of the key and are connected therewith at two diametrically opposite corners 4 and 5.
  • the elements 3 are connected to the frame member at two diametrically opposite corners 6 and 7 displaced 90° along the circumference of the key relative to the corners 4 and 5.
  • the key 1 has a substantially square and more a quadratic cross-section. Apart from the respective connection locations the key 1 is separated from the spring elements 3 by relatively narrow slots or gaps 8 and 9, and the elements are separated from the frame member 2 by similar slots or gaps 10 and 11.
  • connection element spring elements When the key is depressed the connection element spring elements yield resiliently when subjected to bending action at connection or attachment locations, and after release return the key to its initial position. Since the key has a quadratic cross-section and due to the above-mentioned diagonal symmetric suspension, the key axis is not liable to displacement or twisting during the movement of the key.
  • connection locations 4, 5 between the key 1 and the spring elements 3, and the connection locations 6, 7 between the spring elements and the frame member 2 have different levels or heights in the direction of movement of the key. More specifically, as best shown in FIG. 2, the connection locations 4, 5 are disposed or positioned outside of or above the connection locations 6, 7, viewed in the depression direction of the key. The depression of the key thus compresses the respective spring elements extending between adjacent key corners because of the gradual reduction of the distance between the connection locations that takes place when the outer, movable connection locations 4, 5 are urged inwards towards the level lower of the inner, fixed connection locations 6, 7.
  • the key may be depressed a certain distance past the pressure point. With appropriate dimensioning of the members the key will still be restored to its initial position after release because of the resilient restoring force of the spring elements. During the depression of the key these elements are subjected to bending stress at the locations where they are connected to the key and frame.
  • stop knobs 12 In order to provide for suitable limiting of the inward movement of the key, is provided with stop knobs 12 of which one is disposed at each corner.
  • the two stop knobs located at the attachment location corners 4, 5 as shown, in FIG. 3 disposed on a transverse reinforcing web 13 extending diagonally within the key which is hollow interiorly.
  • the stop knobs 12 will limit the depression movement of the key in that they are brought into abutment with a suitable support.
  • This support may be constituted by a mounting plate to which the supporting frame member 2 may be attached by means of the shown legs or mounting pins 14.
  • a rectangular key which is fixed to a support frame member by means of a spring elements in the form of key-enclosing, continuous connection strips. It will be clear, however, that the key may also have another cross-sectional shape, e.g. circular shape. There may also be provided further spring elements along the circumference of the key, although the shown embodiment is advantageous in that it enables a large degree of key movement.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
US05/861,934 1976-12-20 1977-12-19 Variable spring force keyboard pad Expired - Lifetime US4156120A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO764311A NO142151C (no) 1976-12-20 1976-12-20 Trykknappanordning for tastbord eller liknende som er stoept i ett stykke av et fjaerende materiale
NO764311 1976-12-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4156120A true US4156120A (en) 1979-05-22

Family

ID=19883254

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/861,934 Expired - Lifetime US4156120A (en) 1976-12-20 1977-12-19 Variable spring force keyboard pad

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4156120A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5392094A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2756835A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO142151C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE422251B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4303815A (en) * 1979-03-22 1981-12-01 Sony Corporation Push button switch assembly
US4355483A (en) * 1981-01-05 1982-10-26 The Quaker Oats Company Switch mechanism
US20060016676A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-01-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Control panel assembly and method of manufacturing for the same

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3217138C2 (de) * 1982-05-07 1985-01-10 Eberhard 8949 Hausen Burkart Betätigungsvorrichtung für Schalteinrichtungen
EP0441993A1 (en) * 1990-02-12 1991-08-21 Lexmark International, Inc. Actuator plate for keyboard
DE4323878A1 (de) * 1993-07-16 1995-01-19 Abb Patent Gmbh Tastmodul zum Schalten

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3676607A (en) * 1969-11-25 1972-07-11 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Pushbutton telephone dial
US3742157A (en) * 1969-09-25 1973-06-26 Lematex Inc Keyboard switch assembly with improved movable contact
US3749872A (en) * 1970-04-01 1973-07-31 Sumlock Anita Electronics Ltd Switch mounted on printed circuit board
US3829646A (en) * 1972-03-04 1974-08-13 Philips Corp Push-button control member with push-through coupling
US4066860A (en) * 1974-09-26 1978-01-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Pushbutton switch key arrangement for keyboards having indicia

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3668356A (en) * 1971-01-04 1972-06-06 Ibm Mechanical key actuator including a cantilever beam restoring force means

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3742157A (en) * 1969-09-25 1973-06-26 Lematex Inc Keyboard switch assembly with improved movable contact
US3676607A (en) * 1969-11-25 1972-07-11 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Pushbutton telephone dial
US3749872A (en) * 1970-04-01 1973-07-31 Sumlock Anita Electronics Ltd Switch mounted on printed circuit board
US3829646A (en) * 1972-03-04 1974-08-13 Philips Corp Push-button control member with push-through coupling
US4066860A (en) * 1974-09-26 1978-01-03 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Pushbutton switch key arrangement for keyboards having indicia

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4303815A (en) * 1979-03-22 1981-12-01 Sony Corporation Push button switch assembly
US4355483A (en) * 1981-01-05 1982-10-26 The Quaker Oats Company Switch mechanism
US20060016676A1 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-01-26 Lg Electronics Inc. Control panel assembly and method of manufacturing for the same
US7135650B2 (en) * 2004-07-21 2006-11-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Control panel assembly and method of manufacturing for the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2756835A1 (de) 1978-06-29
NO142151C (no) 1980-07-02
NO142151B (no) 1980-03-24
SE7714296L (sv) 1978-06-21
JPS5392094A (en) 1978-08-12
SE422251B (sv) 1982-02-22
NO764311L (no) 1978-06-21
DE2756835C2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1987-06-04

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